Part of a journal entry, this article was written back in March. I was inspired to write this piece when my fiancé e-mailed me -on yet another jobless morning- (after having moved halfway across the country to Phoenix), about possible summer work. Dug is a graphic designer/ ramp builder for California Ramp Works, and this company needed a girl skater for the summer. I could leave for 4 months, skate 5 times a week, 3 times a day for 150.00/ day. Not bad pay, but when you’ve literally just gotten out of a cast from a broken ankle, marathon skateboarding is not the exactly top on the list. At anyrate, it made me laugh to think about all the things I am signing myself up for come November, when we’ll actually be married. Here’s the list I came up with.
1. Expect a season or 2 of Community Living. In the past 9 months, since the time we’ve been engaged, I’ve lived with over 5 different people. Even when we moved halfway across the country, from FL to AZ, the spare bedroom was renovated to a Florida friend shortly after.
2. Your house resembles a Retail Store. I just removed a pair of Steve Caballero's used shoes left over from his runs at the Mega Ramp, this past ASR show. They were on display a top the television set- crossed and pointed toe. For now, I have given into the fact that there is no room for a designated space for the two multi-leveled skate racks, which hold boards of old-school and new, to dog pullin and the skate park go-to.
3. You’re along for a ride. Basically, if you enjoy kissing ass, then the sk8 industry isn’t for you. Until you’ve learned enough, met enough people, and payed your dues with the shade-buckets of the industry, this leaves you with one option- a long, unglamorous journey. Fortunately, I got the tail end of his journey… I think.
4. Life is untraditional as a skater, and because of this, society is typically against you from the get-go; equipped with mental and physical stoppers. Hopefully, you learn you’ve got nothing to lose by trying...but everything if you don’t. When Dug told my parents he wanted to marry me, my dad refuted him with nostrils flared, and continued to tell him he was sure I’d say no. Dug responded, “I’m a very patient guy, and will wait a little bit, and ask her again if she says no.” I said Yes.
5. He'll make butter out of cream. Skaters are hard workers, and resourceful by nature… just look what they turn skateable. When Dug got laid off, he still managed to uncover a perfect job for himself in the middle of this lame economy. He did this by looking at what he had available, and making the most of it. On the flipside, now it is my turn.. dang it, I hate when tables turn:)
6. He’s had a go-ahead of a business. I think this is a necessary on the humbling journey of work experience, for life to get you where you need to be. But you will long live with the t-shirts and stickers from the glory days.
7. You better enjoy being a masseuse or physical therapist on the side.
Probably the truest of the list…skaters are always injured. Your nights become
accustomed to “ooh!” and “aaw!” as you accidentally hit your partners new shin
abrasion, swollen ankle, or scab. Backs are usually an issue as well. If they are
builders, even truer. For us though, it means they love our soft touch even more!
So if a dude with softer hands and prettier skin than you comes your way, proceed
with caution, because it means he’s never worked a day in his life, and probably is
going to be a bit of a baby.
8. Life is fun and full of love. I know that this guy has more love for me than anything because he kisses me mad, stays up late to listen to my concerns, and never fails to answer my phone calls. These past 4 months have been a test of our strength and have found that Dug is a master at keeping his head on straight in uncertain times (much better than me), won’t give up in hard times, and most importantly won’t give up on me (of course this works both ways). Because hey, hasn’t every skater met the bottom, in their pursuit to live out their heart. And with that being said, maybe that’s why we get along, because, shit, “This is the only lifestyle we've known.”
Hmm… sort of a weird number to end on, but that’s what I had written in my trusty notebook.
2. Your house resembles a Retail Store. I just removed a pair of Steve Caballero's used shoes left over from his runs at the Mega Ramp, this past ASR show. They were on display a top the television set- crossed and pointed toe. For now, I have given into the fact that there is no room for a designated space for the two multi-leveled skate racks, which hold boards of old-school and new, to dog pullin and the skate park go-to.
3. You’re along for a ride. Basically, if you enjoy kissing ass, then the sk8 industry isn’t for you. Until you’ve learned enough, met enough people, and payed your dues with the shade-buckets of the industry, this leaves you with one option- a long, unglamorous journey. Fortunately, I got the tail end of his journey… I think.
4. Life is untraditional as a skater, and because of this, society is typically against you from the get-go; equipped with mental and physical stoppers. Hopefully, you learn you’ve got nothing to lose by trying...but everything if you don’t. When Dug told my parents he wanted to marry me, my dad refuted him with nostrils flared, and continued to tell him he was sure I’d say no. Dug responded, “I’m a very patient guy, and will wait a little bit, and ask her again if she says no.” I said Yes.
5. He'll make butter out of cream. Skaters are hard workers, and resourceful by nature… just look what they turn skateable. When Dug got laid off, he still managed to uncover a perfect job for himself in the middle of this lame economy. He did this by looking at what he had available, and making the most of it. On the flipside, now it is my turn.. dang it, I hate when tables turn:)
6. He’s had a go-ahead of a business. I think this is a necessary on the humbling journey of work experience, for life to get you where you need to be. But you will long live with the t-shirts and stickers from the glory days.
7. You better enjoy being a masseuse or physical therapist on the side.
Probably the truest of the list…skaters are always injured. Your nights become
accustomed to “ooh!” and “aaw!” as you accidentally hit your partners new shin
abrasion, swollen ankle, or scab. Backs are usually an issue as well. If they are
builders, even truer. For us though, it means they love our soft touch even more!
So if a dude with softer hands and prettier skin than you comes your way, proceed
with caution, because it means he’s never worked a day in his life, and probably is
going to be a bit of a baby.
8. Life is fun and full of love. I know that this guy has more love for me than anything because he kisses me mad, stays up late to listen to my concerns, and never fails to answer my phone calls. These past 4 months have been a test of our strength and have found that Dug is a master at keeping his head on straight in uncertain times (much better than me), won’t give up in hard times, and most importantly won’t give up on me (of course this works both ways). Because hey, hasn’t every skater met the bottom, in their pursuit to live out their heart. And with that being said, maybe that’s why we get along, because, shit, “This is the only lifestyle we've known.”
No comments:
Post a Comment